Final answer:
The line from 'The Handmaid's Tale' that idealizes rural life is "In the heart of the city, I yearned for the tranquility of the rural landscape." This reflects a common literary theme where rural life is seen as simpler and more morally pure than urban life.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale, the line that idealizes rural life or compares rural life to urban life is: "In the heart of the city, I yearned for the tranquility of the rural landscape." This line clearly reflects a longing for the peace and simplicity found in rural areas, contrasting it with the busy nature of urban life. This sentiment reflects a common theme in literature where the rural landscape is depicted as a lost Eden, offering a morally superior way of life compared to the complexities and perceived corruptions of urban existence.
The portrayal of rural areas as morally pure and spiritually good resonates with the views that emerged in reaction to the urbanization brought about by the Industrial Revolution. Importantly, John Constable's artwork, like The Hay Wain, can be seen as a celebration of this simpler, idealized rural existence. These themes serve as a critique of modern society's disregard for nature and rural simplicity.